Role of Polysulfides in Reduction of Elemental Sulfur by the Hyperthermophilic Archaebacterium Pyrococcus furiosus

• DOI: 10.1128/aem.56.5.1255-1262.1990
• Publication Date: 2020-01-01T04:24:22Z
• Authors: I. I. Blumentals; M. Itoh; G. J. Olson; R. M. Kelly
• Keywords: Pyrococcus furiosus; Sulfur Metabolism

Polysulfides formed through the breakdown of elemental sulfur or other compounds were found to be reduced H 2 S by hyperthermophilic archaebacterium Pyrococcus furiosus during growth. Metabolism polysulfides organism was dissimilatory, as no incorporation 35 S-labeled detected. However, [ S]cysteine and S]methionine incorporated into cellular protein. Contact between is not necessary for metabolism. The sulfide generated from metabolic reduction dissociates a strong nucleophile, HS − , which in turn opens up 8 ring. In addition S, P. cultures produced methyl mercaptan growth-associated fashion.